Severe cold hitting so much of the country. And the paralyzing snowstorm set to sweep the south. Good morning, ginger. Good morning. We're so lucky the super bowl is not tomorrow. I'll tell you why. First, the winter storm watch in effect for so many folks from Texas to Virginia. Winter storm warnings up in south and North Carolina. 3 to 5 inches of snow for parts of southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, Atlanta is in the winter storm watch. Up to 7 inches plus in parts of North Carolina, of snow. They don't get this. Day don't have the capabilities. The salt, the plow trucks. This is going to be paralyzing for the south. New Orleans hasn't seen measurable snow in -- since 2009. Look at the ice. If you don't get snow, you get freezing rain. It will be a sloppy mess. A ton of cold air. 21 below, Des Moines, what it feels like. Minneapolis, that's where we find Alex Perez. Good morning, Alex. Reporter: Well, good morning, ginger. This morning, public schools in Minneapolis, Chicago, other areas are closed. To give you an idea, this is supposed to be a water fountain. It's so cold, it's frozen like a big block of ice. This morning, the midwest waking up to some of the coldest temperatures all season. In North Dakota, snow blowing. Howling wind chills as low as 50 degrees below zero. This natural gas pipeline explosion in Canada causing a gas shortage in parts of the upper midwest. Thousands of residents being asked to turn down the heat. Are we going to have enough heat to protect our homes? Reporter: Overnight, this high school hockey team had to spend the night at a youth shelter after driving through this. A whiteout in southern Minnesota. We couldn't go on further. Reporter: In Massachusetts, a horse up to its in freezing mud. They used a crane to finally get it out. In Trenton, New Jersey, this dog on the icy Delaware river for more than two hours. Two good samaritans finally using a kayak to tow him to safety. Just went out and got him. Reporter: In central park, Caitlin risked her life saving her puppy's life. Jumping into the lake to rescue him. They were pulled to safety by a police officer who threw them a life preserver. New York there is beauty to be found. For the first time in five years, lake superior is so frozen solid, visitors are walk across and right into the stunning ice caves. And they say this water fountain here has been frozen solid for about a month. Across the midwest, authorities have a piece of advice. Stay inside. Lara? Great advice, Alex, thank you. We turn to the latest on the

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